Deep-freezing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for deep-freezing semi-fluid foodstuffs comprises a freezing device and two co-operating endless tracks which are coextensive over part of their length so as to form between them a fixed space for the foodstuff, the foodstuff in said space being frozen to a continuous cake. The apparatus also has means for detaching the continuous cake from the tracks and for breaking it into pieces.

United States Patent 1191 Persson et al.

[ Nov. 27, 1973 DEEP-FREEZING APPARATUS Inventors: Per-Oskar Persson;Per Sture Astrom, both of Helsingborg; Lennart S. A. Emgard, Raa, all ofSweden Frigoscandia Contracting AB, Helsingborg, Sweden Filed: Oct. 4,1971 Appl. No.: 185,945

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 8, 1970 Sweden 13623/70 US. Cl.62/320, 62/346, 62/374,

99/ 192 Int. Cl. F25c 5/02 Field of Search 62/63, 345, 346,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Preuss 99/193 3,606,763 9/ 1971Bevins 62/72 2,145,773 1/1939 Muffly 62/345 3,253,420 5/ 1966 DeGeorge62/345 X Primary ExaminerMeyer Perlin Assistant Examiner-Ronald C.Capossela AttorneyKarl W. Flocks [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus fordeep-freezing semi-fluid foodstuffs comprises a freezing device and twoco-operating endless tracks which are coextensive over part of theirlength so as to form between them a fixed space for the foodstuff, thefoodstuff in said space being frozen to a continuous cake. The apparatusalso has means for detaching the continuous cake from the tracks and forbreaking it into pieces.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures DEEP-FREEZING APPARATUS The presentinvention relates to an apparatus for deep-freezing semi-fluidfoodstuffs, such as chopped or stewed spinach, said apparatus comprisingtwo cooperating endless tracks which are coextensive over part of theirlength so as ,to form between them a fixed space for the foodstuff, andwhich co-operate with a freezing device for deep-freezing the foodstuffin the space between the two tracks, one of the endless tracks beingprovided with transversely'extending ridges directed towards the othertrack. Such apparatuses are intended for deep-freezing the semi-fluidfoodstufi into small discrete particles which shall be freely movablerelative to each other when brought together in a package or the like.This will make it possible to take out of a package precisely thequantity of the frozen foodstuff that is desired on one occasion. I

In known apparatuses of this kind the tracks bear against one another soas to form between them small separate spaces for the foodstuff, thefoodstuff in said spaces being frozen into said small discreteparticles. In

practice, it has proved very difficult to have the small discreteparticles come loose from the tracks. This disadvantage is removed bythe apparatus according to the present invention, which is'characterizedin that the tracks within that portion of their length on which theyshall be coextensive to form between them a fixed spacejfor thefoodstuff, are spaced apart a greater distance than the height of theridges so that the foodstuff in the space between the two tracks isfrozen to a continuous cake; that after that portion of their lengthwithin which the continuous cake is frozen, the two tracks are deflectedfrom the feeding direction of the cake in order to detach the cake fromthe tracks; and that the apparatus is provided with means for breakingthe cake detached from the tracks at least along the transverse groovesformed in the cake by the ridges of one of the tracks. Thus, it is mucheasier to have the continuous deep-frozen foodstuff cake come loose fromthe tracks, since the cake strives to keep its shape and consequentlyits feeding direction.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to theaccompanying drawing which illustrates an embodiment, chosen by way ofexample, of the apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical side elevation of the apparatus,

FIG. 2 is a section on line IIII in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views of the encircled portions III and IV in FIG. 1on a considerably larger scale.

The apparatus comprises two co-operating endless tracks 1 and 2 whichare coextensive over part of their length so as to form betwen them afixed space for the foodstuff. Moreparticularly, the tracks 1 and 2 areconveyor belts consisting for example of stainless sheet metal.

The two endless tracks 1 and 2 co-operate with a freezing device 3 and 4for deep-freezing the foodstuff in the space between the tracks. Toobtain an efficient freezing the two tracks 1 and 2 and the freezingdevice 3 and 4 are located completely within a well-insulated freezingcompartment (not shown).

On that side which faces the inner track 2 the outer track 1 is providedwith transversely extending ridges 5 formed simply by corrugating thestainless conveyor belt 1.

According to the invention the tracks 1 and 2 within that portion oftheir length on which they are coextensive so as to form between them afixed space for the foodstuff, are spaced apart a greater distance thenthe height of the ridges 5 so that the foodstufi' in the space betweenthe two tracks is frozen to a continuous cake 6. After said portion oftheir length the two tracks are deflected from the feeding direction ofthe cake 6 in order to detach said cake 6 from said tracks 1 and 2. Theapparatus also has means 7 and 8 for breaking the cake 6 detached fromsaid tracks 1 and 2 into bars along the transverse grooves formed in thecake by the ridges 5. The apparatus should also have means 9 forbreaking the bars into short preferably regular pieces, so that thesmall discrete particles are continuously produced.

The inner track 2 could be provided with low longitudinal ridges for theformation of weakened lines so that the short foodstuff pieces willsurely get a regular shape. The ridges of the track 2 must not be sohigh as to jeopardise the formation of the continuous foodstuff cake 6.

In the embodiment illustrated the inner endless track 2 is passed overtwo drums, viz. a big drum 10 and a small drum 11. The drums 10 and 11,at least one of which is driven, comprise several juxtaposed wheels withcomparatively small surfaces of engagement with the track 2. The outerendless track 1 which is coextensive with the inner track 2 over butpart of its length has no particular drive, but follows the inner track2 mainly owing to the connection provided by the frozen foodstufi'between the tracks 1 and 2. Those portions of the outer endless track 1which deviate from the inner track 2 co-operate with guide ribs 12 orlike elements.

In order that the tracks 1 and 2 shall be spaced apart a greaterdistance than the height of the ridges 5, the track 1 according to theillustrated embodiment is provided at its longitudinal edges withplastics strips 13 or similar means that serve as spacers between thetracks 1 and 2. The plastics strips 13 thus bear against the somewhatwider track 2. The tracks 1 and 2 can be spaced for instance 8 mm apart,the distance between the ridges 5 and the track 2 being in that casepreferably 3 mm, which implies that the ridges 5 are 5 mm high. Theridges 5 are spaced about 20 mm apart.

As appears from the drawing, the outer track 1 provided with the ridges5 is deflected from the feeding direction of the cake 6 before the innertrack 2 is deflected from the feeding direction of said cake 6. Moreparticularly, the outer track 1 is deflected from the inner track 2before said track leaves the circumference of the drum 10. After leavingthe circumference of the drum 10 the inner track 2 follows a straightpath, whereupon it diverts to pass along the circumference of thesmaller drum 1 1. At said diversion the cake 6 leaves the inner track 2,since the cake 6 continues in its longitudinal direction. The cake 6thus leaves the two tracks 1 and 2 safely and without energyconsumption. Therefore, but a small force is required for the operationof the drums l0 and 11.

The freezing device comprises spraying devices 3 and 4 which spray acoolant, for instance glycol, onto those sides of the thin stainlessbelts l and 2 which face away from each other. After spraying thecoolant is collected and cooled again to permit being sprayed once moreonto the tracks 1 and 2.

The spraying device 3 for the track 1 having the ridges 5 shallterminate before the point 14 where said track is deflected from thefeeding direction of the cake 6, while the spraying device 4 for thetrack 2 shall extend at least up to said point 14. This will guaranteethat thecake 6 at the point 14 does not follow the track 1 having theridges 5.

As appears from the drawing, the two endless tracks 1 and 2 arecoextensive along a horizontal or slightly downwardly inclined path 15ahead of the big drum 10, and the foodstuff supplying device indicatedby the arrow 16 is disposed ahead of said path 15, whereby sufiicienttime is gained to subject the foostuff to a partial freezing before itreaches the drum 10, thus preventing the foodstuff from flowing alongsaid drum. The foodstuff supplying device 16 preferably is atransversely reciprocating nozzle which through a hose is supplied withfoodstuffs from the premises outside the insulated freezing compartment.According to the drawing, the means for breaking the cake 6 detachedfrom the track 2 into bars along the transverse grooves formed in thesaid cake by the ridges 5 are a roll 7 and a strip 8. The roll bends thedetached cake 6 towards the drum 11, while the strip bends said cake 6away from the drum 11, resulting in the cake 6 being automaticallybroken into bars. Said bars ar then knocked off into short pieces bymeans of two rolls 9 which are provided with projections. Theprojections are laterally offset on the two rolls 9, the projections ofone roll 9 serving as supports for the bars, while the projections ofthe other roll'9 serve as knock-off means.

Arranged below the rolls 9 is a conveyor belt 17 which carries thefinished frozen products consisting of short pieces to a space outsidethe insulated freezing compartment, where thepieces are brought togetherin packages in which they are freely movable relative to each other.

A freezing device for 500 kg of foodstuffs an hour shall have a beltwidth of about 1,000 mm, while the big drum 10 shall have a diameter ofabout 2,000 mm. If the freezing device is to manage 1,000 kg offoodstuffs an hour the belt width is about 1,500 mm, while the diameterof the drum is about 2,600 mm.

What we claim and desire to secure by letters Patent 1. An apparatus fordeep-freezing semi-fluid foodstuffs comprising two cooperating endlesstracks which are coextensive over part of their length so as to formbetween them a fixed space for the foodstuff,

a freezing device through which said endless tracks pass fordeep-freezing the foodstufl in the space between said two tracks,

- transversely extending ridges on one of said endless tracks directedtowards the other of said tracks,

means to space said tracks apart a greater distance than the height ofsaid ridges within that portion of their length on which they shall becoextensive so that foodstuff in the space is frozen to a continuouscake,

means to deflect said two tracks from the feeding direction of the cakein order to detach the frozen cake from said tracks after said trackshave passed said freezing device,

and means for breaking the cake which is detached from said tracks atleast along transverse grooves formed in the cake by said ridges.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by means for breakingthe cake into short regular pieces located in the path of the frozencake.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by said means tospace said tracks apart being plastic strips along the longitudinaledges of at least one of said tracks.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by said means todeflect said two tracks causing said track having said ridges to deviatefrom the feeding direction of the cake before said other track is causedto deviate from the feeding direction of the cake.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by said freezingdevice including coolant spraying devices,

said tracks being of stainless sheet-metal whose sides which face awayfrom each other cooperate with said coolant spraying devices.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further characterized by those of saidcoolant spraying devices cooperating with said track having said ridgesterminating ahead of the point where said track is deflected from thefeeding direction of the cake,

those of said coolant spraying devices cooperating with said other trackextending at least up to said point.

1. An apparatus for deep-freezing semi-fluid foodstuffs comprising twocooperating endless tracks which are coextensive over part of theirlength so as to form between them a fixed space for the foodstuff, afreezing device through which said endless tracks pass for deep-freezingthe foodstuff in the space between said two tracks, transverselyextending ridges on one of said endless tracks directed towards theother of said tracks, means to space said tracks apart a greaterdistance than the height of said ridges within that portion of theirlength on which they shall be coextensive so that foodstuff in the spaceis frozen to a continuous cake, means to deflect said two tracks fromthe feeding direction of the cake in order to detach the frozen cakefrom said tracks after said tracks have passed said freezing device, andmeans for breaking the cake which is detached from said tracks at leastalong transverse grooves formed in the cake by said ridges.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 further characterized by means for breaking thecake into short regular pieces located in the path of the frozen cake.3. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by said means tospace said tracks apart being plastic strips along the longitudinaledges of at least one of said tracks.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,further characterized by said means to deflect said two tracks causingsaid track having said ridges to deviate from the feeding direction ofthe cake before said other track is caused to deviate from the feedingdirection of the cake.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercharacterized by said freezing device including coolant sprayingdevices, said tracks being of stainless sheet-metal whose sides whichface away from each other cooperate with said coolant spraying devices.6. The apparatus of claim 5, further characterized by those of saidcoolant spraying devices cooperating with said track having said ridgesterminating ahead of the point where said track is deflected from thefeeding direction of the cake, those of said coolant spraying devicescooperating with said other track extending at least up to said point.